Robert Sang Herd
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 15 Jun 1888 |
| Place of Birth | Craigend, Perthshire, Scotland |
| Death | 22 Jul 1964, aged 76 |
| Place of Death | Dalkeith, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 27 years, 6 months |
| Description |
5'7½" (1.71m) tall ; 144 lbs 65.317 kg ; fresh complexion ; light brown eyes ; dark hair |
| Occupation | Faller |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Bush landing, Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Aunt , Mrs Jessie Black |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5114 |
| Date of Enlistment | 31 Jan 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 16th Reinforcement, allocated to D Company / 3rd Brigade, 1st Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 31 Mar 1916 ‒ 24 Apr 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A9 Shropshire |
| Date of Return | 1 Jun 1919 ‒ 8 Jul 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Somali |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Departed London on SS Australind for Fremantle on 25 Mar 1911.
Electoral Roll entries - 1913 - 1914 - at 26 mile camp Holyoake, hewer.
War Service
At time of entering Blackboy Hill camp, Robert was allocated to Artillery reinforcements. However, on 14 Mar 1916 he was transferred to the 16th reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion and travelled with them to Egypt aboard HMAT A9 Shropshire, disembarking on 24 Apr 1916. Soon after their arrival, Robert was embarked on HMT Tunisian at Alexandria on 29 May 1916 for Marseilles, arriving there on 3 Jun 1916. On 10 Jun 1916 he was with the 1st Division's Base Depot in Étaples, before joining the 11th Battalion on 29 Jul 1916 where he was posted to 'D' Company.
On 10 Nov 1916 he was treated for trench feet by the 2nd Field Ambulance, and then sent on to the 38th Casualty Clearing Station, followed by the 12th General Hospital in Rouen on 12 Nov 1916. On 23 Nov 1916 he was embarked on HMHS Formosa for England, where he was admitted to the 3rd London General Hospital the same day. Following treatment he was granted furlough from 3 Jan to 18 Jan 1917, after which he was to report to Perham Downs. Arriving there late he was charged with being AWOL from 3:30pm on 18 Jan 1917 until 4:00pm on 19 Jan 1918. Awarded 7 days confined to camp, and loss of 2 days pay. Reclassified, he spent time in convalescent depots before being posted to the Overseas Training Brigade. In Sep 1917 he was again AWOL for a period, but proceeded overseas to France before the case could be heard.
On 20 Nov 1917 he rejoined the 11th Battalion and served with them until he spent two days at the School of Instructing in October 1918. Granted English leave from 20 Nov to 4 Dec 1918, he returned to France until 4 Apr 1919 when he returned to England to prepare for the return to Australia. While waiting in England he managed one last AWOL charge - absent from 7:45pm on 3 May 1919 until 3:00pm hours on the 4th. He was awarded 2 days Field Punishment No 2, and forfeited 6 days pay. On his return to Australia, Robert was discharged by the 5th Military District on 22 Aug 1919.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 - 1926 Holyoake bush, faller; 1943 at 3 Weld avenue, North Perth, labourer and then later in 1943 - 1949 at 37 Swan street North Fremantle, lumper
Notes
Both medals appear to have been returned